(by 7 people)
Alexander Girard - Architect, Designer, Collector
Alexander Girard (1907-1993) was one of the most prolific designers of the 20th Century. Although his name is relatively unknown in comparison with his contemporaries - Charles Eames and Herman Miller, he was an incredibly versatile creator and lent his influence to an astounding collection of fabrics, wallpapers and furniture.
Alexander Girard: A Short Biography
Art is only art when it is synonymous with living
Alexander Girard was born in New York in 1907, but grew up in Italy and remained in Europe throughout his youth. He studied at the Royal Institute of British Architects in London, after which he returned to America hoping to set up a successful practice. However, work was slow and he abandoned architecture in favour of design. His first big commission was to design the Detroit Institute of Arts' For Modern Living exhibition, which included the first public display of Charles and Ray Eames's plywood chairs.In 1952, Girard joined Herman Miller and became the Textile design director for more than 20 years, working closely with Charles and Ray Eames. During this time he also worked on a number of solo projects including the design for La Fonda de Sol restaurant in New York and Braniff Airlines.
Alexander Girard and his wife Susan were also avid collectors of Folk Art and gifted 106,000 objects to the International Museum of Folk Art in New Mexico.
Alexander Girard at Herman Miller
When Girard joined Herman Miller in 1952 and was made design director of the textiles division, his first priority was to inject colour into the product range. Inspired by folk art, Girard steered away from realistic design and instead focused on geometric pattern and bold colour block, often reproducing the same motif in several colourways. His playful eye added a fun element to the stark and often intellectualised furniture that Herman Miller produced.Later in his career, he also turned his hand to wallpaper and furniture design.
Alexander Girard on Amazon
Alexander Girard Designs for Herman Miller (Schiffer Design Book)
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Amazon Price: $32.97 (as of 07/26/2008)
List Price: $49.95
Used Price: $31.31
Usually ships in 24 hours
A History of Interior Design
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $72.00 (as of 07/26/2008)
List Price: $90.00
Used Price: $55.00
Usually ships in 24 hours
La Fonda Del Sol Restaurant
In 1961, La Fonda Del Sol restaurant opened in the Time-Life building in New York. It cost $3 million to create and everything was designed by Alexander Girard from the ashtrays to the taco holders. The theme was Latin American and Girard's love of folk art dominated the interior, centering around the logo of a large sun. The furniture was upholstered in bright pinks, oranges and blues with tableware to complement.Unfortunately, we can only imagine this riot of colour today as the restaurant closed in 1971. However, collector's pieces still circulate the auctions from time to time and Maximo Design (see link below) occasionally reproduce items from the original design.
La Fonda Del Sol - Extra Information
- La Fonda Del Sol - dedicated website
- This website by Patti Hauseman is absolutely fantastic. It is totally devoted to La Fonda Del Sol and includes photos, articles and links
- maXimo
- A wonderful showcase of Girard's work (reissued) including pieces featuring La Fonda Del Sol designs. Unfortunately, the online store does not seem to be working at the moment!
- The Compound Restaurant
- The Compound Restaurant is the only Girard-designed restaurant that still operates today and can be found in Santa Fe. It does not have the wow factor of La Fonda Del Sol, but it still retains some original features.
Braniff International
The 1965 refit of Braniff International Airways was another demonstration of Girard's all-encompassing and innovative creative approach. In just over 6 months, Girard implemented 17543 design changes which transformed the entire Braniff brand from the fuselages right down to the sugar packages. In addition to using 7 signature colours, Girard also outfitted the interiors with 57 different variations of Herman Miller fabrics. Alexander Girard on eBay
Girard originals rarely surface on eBay and are usually purchased via auction. If you see one here, snap it up!
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by
Museum of International Folk Art - Santa Fe
Alexander Girard and his wife Susan collected an extraordinary amount of folk art during their lifetime. In 1939, they took a belated honeymoon to Mexico and came back with a carful of souvenirs. This started a collection that evolved into the Girard Foundation in 1960, which was set up in order to acquire, preserve and exhibit the toys that they had amassed during their travels.In 1978 they donated the entire catalogue to the Museum of International Folk Art. It took two years to unpack and arrange the exhibit, but the Girard Wing finally opened in 1982. Multiple Visions: A Common Bond displays approximately 10% of the collection. It includes toys and dolls, costumes, masks, textiles of all kinds, religious folk art as well as paintings, beadwork, and more.
Toys represent a microcosm of man's world and dreams.
They exhibit fantasy, imagination, humor and love.
They are an invaluable record and expression of mans ingenious unsophisticated imagination.
-Alexander Girard
Santa Fe Attractions
- Museum of International Folk Art
- The Museum of International Folk Art in Santa Fe, New Mexico encourages the understanding of world folk arts through exhibitions, research, programs and education.
- Santa Fe Information
- Welcome to the City Different. Come see why Santa Fe, New Mexico is a destination for world travelers. If this your first trip to Santa Fe or your tenth we have all the information you'll need about lodging, dining and activities.
Girard Today: Online Stores Selling Girard's Designs
- Alexander Girard Alphabet Blocks - House Industries
- Buy a set of 28 multi-sided wooden blocks featuring distinctive Girard designs.
- Modern Seed
- A small selection of products bearing Girard's designs.
- SFMOMA Museum Store
- Purchase posters, notecards and books online.
- Online Shop Vitra Design Museum
- The Vitra Design Museum has produced models of Girard's wooden dolls. Each doll comes individually packaged in a printed wooden gift box. You can buy them here.
- Girard Pens (Acme Studios) Unica Home
- Acme Studios have released pens and card cases with Girard's designs. These are for sale on Unica Home's website.
Alexander Girard: Handmade Modern
TODD OLDHAM'S HANDMADE MODERN - ALEXANDER GIRARD ESSAY
TODD TALKS ABOUT ONE OF HIS FAVORITE ARTISANS ALEXANDER GIRARD. (2005)
Runtime: 1:42
1893 views
1 Comments:
Share your thoughts here
|
nickupton
First class lens. The way you have created it has given me some ideas on how to improve mine. Posted October 23, 2007 |
|
gods_grace_notes
Hello, Meloramus Posted August 23, 2007 |
|
sonia_simone
This is a very cool lens. I like the Eamses a lot, but didn't know about Girard. I am going to five-star it Posted August 15, 2007 |
|
GypsyPirate
A very informative and well written lens. Thanks for all of your hard work on it! Posted August 15, 2007 |
|
jackclee
Very good start. You can improve your lens by adding some larger images. Here is my lens on how to do that - www.squidoo.com/add_photo Posted August 15, 2007 |
